graduation

Cue the Vitamin C: Another class is graduating! But what can you get the grads in your life that they can actually use? Here are 10 easy, cute gift ideas that they'll love for years to come. Set of 12 note cards and envelopes, $22, riflepaperco.com; set of two notebooks, $10, riflepaperco.comChic stationery: Designed by French photographer and fashion blogger Garance Doré, these stationery and notebook sets are pretty and practical—especially on the job hunt. Glasses, $15 each, crateandbarrel.comChampagne flutes: Cheers! Every college grad deserves a champagne toast. Include a bottle of Veuve Clicquot for bonus points. Rolling suitcase, $50, Marshalls storesA suitcase: Help make moving into/out of a dorm or apartment a little easier with some nice luggage. Kate Spade Saturday paper nesting boxes, $45 for set of three, saturday.comCute nesting boxes: These pretty boxes are genius for storing papers, books, and tchotchkes. Michael Kors watch, $160, neimanmarcus.comA watch: Everyone needs a good watch—and choosing one with a slick leather strap means one-size-fits-all. Leather wallet, $68, cwonder.comA nice wallet: Graduation means it's officially time for a grown-up wallet. This classic version has room for all the necessary adult things like insurance cards and sandwich-shop punch cards. Alphabet rings, $56 read more

Just graduated college? Oh, the places you’ll go! And also: the people you’ll date! Dating in the real world is a bit—OK, WAY—different from dating in college. The rules change the moment you hand in the keys to your dorm room. To help you absorb the culture shock, here are the key tips you’ll need to prepare you for this new reality. You’re Going to Have to Put in a Bit More Effort. Meeting people in college is as simple as going to class. That is literally all you have to do to meet people. If going to class isn’t really your style, there are myriad other ways to meet potential love interests—walking across the quad, for example. Going to that party with your roommate. Studying in the library instead of your room. Not to depress you (or sound like the Princeton Mom), but never again will you be presented with so many single, available options of guys and girls around your age and with your same interests. So, yeah. Things are gonna be a little harder from now on. Not impossible! But you’re going to have to actively put effort into putting yourself in situations where you’re likely read more

Last year 'round graduation season, I shared with you all the TV graduation scenes that always make me cry like a baby. This time, let's talk memorable graduation movies—because whether you're a post-grad, about-to-be-grad, never-grad, or any other "grad" variation, nothing's more inspiring than seeing somebody wear a giant hat and Judge Judy robe. These are my faves: Legally Blonde "You got into Harvard Law?" "What? Like it's hard?" Say Anything Takeaway: Standing outside with a boom box over your head is every post-grad's dream. She's All That One thing that's always bothered me: What's the timeline on Freddie Prinz Jr. taking his clothes off? Did he do it before the ceremony—but then wouldn't a teacher have noticed and stopped him? Or did he undress during the ceremony (in which case: weird)? Clearly I've spent more time thinking about She's All That than anyone ever. Can't Hardly Wait No actual graduation scenes in this one, but the entire thing takes place that night at a grad party. Fun fact: This was Jason Segel's first movie. He played "Watermelon Guy." Billy Madison Erm, this isn't the most graduation-y graduation scenes. But it's funny, so watch. Just Friends The flick kicks off read more

OK, maybe we can't up and travel to India. But for those of you who don't know what to say when you're constantly being asked what you're going to do with that degree in English/communications/insert-other-"useless"-major-here, maybe you've hit the time to think outside of the box...or continent, that is. read more

My college graduation speaker was one of the professors on campus who had just completed some very impressive research and went on and on about following the road less traveled. Cliche, boring and did not leave much of an impact. Unlike Harvard's class of 2012 who had Saturday Night Live's Andy Samberg to send them off into the real world! read more

This morning, Glamour's Washington, D.C. correspondent Linda Kramer-Jenning sent out some news that made me wish I were back on The Hill (that's what we called our beloved college campus), awaiting commencement: First Lady Michelle Obama will be delivering commencement addresses at three different graduations this year! read more

Forget about fancy pens and encyclopedia sets. If you're shopping for something for your college-bound little sister, or for a recent grad bravely entering the real world, get her something she'll find useful and fun. read more